Former Chief Justice Maraga Disowns a Tweet Endorsing Ruto’s Victory

Retired Chief Justice David Maraga has disowned a tweet purporting to endorse president-elect William Ruto’s victory in the August 9th presidential election.

The tweet quoted the former Chief Justice claiming that Ruto, who vied on a UDA party ticket, won the election fairly and that he should be sworn in on August 30th.

Maraga says the tweet circulating on social media is fake and urged Kenyans to ignore it.

“This tweet circulating on social media purporting to be authored by me is FAKE, please ignore,” Maraga said through his Twitter account.

Ruto was declared the winner of the August 9th presidential election after garnering 7,176,141 votes (50.49 percent of the total votes), defeating his main competitor Raila Odinga of the Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition by 233,211 votes.

Odinga, who secured 6,942,930 votes (48.85 percent), has filed a petition at the Supreme Court seeking to have Ruto’s victory nullified and a fresh presidential election held in strict conformity with the constitution and election laws.

Odinga and his running mate Martha Karua accuse Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebukati of subverting the will of the people by interfering with the presidential election.

Seven other petitions have been filed at the apex court challenging Ruto’s win. The Supreme Court has 14 days since Monday to hear and make its ruling on the petitions.